The Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) and the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) are teaming up this year to deliver a holiday safe driving message to the Georgia motoring public.

With the holiday season upon us, GOHS and the GSP will be reminding motorists that during this busy travel period, there will be increased enforcement to make sure everyone is buckling up and driving sober. During the Thanksgiving travel period, GOHS focuses on seatbelt safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seatbelts saved almost 12,000 lives nationwide in 2011. Research shows that with proper belt use, the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passengers is reduced by 45 percent and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.

Such a simple step can save a life, but too many lives are still being lost because some have still not heeded the seatbelt message. During the 2011 Thanksgiving travel period, there were 249 traffic deaths nationwide. Fifty percent of those killed were NOT wearing a seatbelt.

Did you know?

• Buckling up is the single most effective way to save your life and the lives of your loved ones while on the road.

• Seat belts saved almost 12,000 lives nationwide in 2011, according to the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration.

• 249 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the U.S. during the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday.

• People are less likely to wear a seat belt at night. Sixty-two percent of the 10,135 vehicle occupants killed in nighttime crashes were not wearing belts compared to the 43 percent killed in daytime crashes.

• With proper seat belt use, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.